New equipment to help crews tackle wildfires

The new vehicle and equipment will be based at Eastwood Fire Station

New equipment to help tackle wildfires is ready to be deployed across Nottinghamshire.

The wildfire support vehicle, which is equipped with a perforated blue hose that creates a protective water wall up to eight metres (26ft) high, will be based at Eastwood Fire Station.

It carries essential tools such as specialist backpacks, wildfire blowers, beaters and more.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said the equipment also provided the means to clear debris, create fire breaks and target hard-to-reach hot spots.

The new kit includes a perforated blue hose that shoots water eight metres (26ft) into the air

The arrival of the vehicle follows the recent rollout of small fire units at stations in East Leake and Warsop, along with the introduction of Tuxford Fire Station's Polaris - also known as the "misting unit" - which is designed to help tackle rural fires.

NFRS said the enhancements were part of the brigade's "ongoing delivery and improvement project" aimed at equipping crews with advanced tools to effectively respond to a wide range of incidents - particularly in rural and woodland areas.

NFRS said it was "committed to being as prepared as possible for any incident across Nottinghamshire and beyond".

However, it has urged members of the public to play their part in preventing wildfires by not using disposable barbecues in parks or open countryside, taking their litter home and disposing of cigarettes appropriately.